Women in Wonderland: Lives, Legends, and Legacies of Yellowstone National Park

Like much of America's history, Yellowstone's historical narrative contains numerous stories of the adventures, heroics, and contributions of men, while the contributions of women have become invisible and largely forgotten. In fact, their contributions to Yellowstone were many.

In her book Women in Wonderland: Lives, Legends, and Legacies, author Elizabeth Watry has profiled fourteen remarkable women whose contributions to and experiences in Yellowstone figured significantly in the development of the park. Ranging from park rangers developing nature trails and sealing guns to scientists researching bison and plants to concessioners supplying visitors with comfortable lodging and curios, these spirited, ambitious, and independent women have long gone uncelebrated. Her lecture will explore several of the enterprising lives of these noteworthy women as well as a few "behind the book" research experiences.